Scour Critical Bridges in Texas
3,912 bridges in Texas at risk from water erosion around foundations.
Scour Critical Bridges
Scour is the erosion of soil and rock around a bridge's foundation caused by moving water. When foundations are exposed or undermined, a bridge can collapse even if its deck and superstructure are in good condition. Scour is the leading cause of bridge failures in the US. These 3,912 bridges in Texas have been identified as vulnerable to scour damage.
| Bridge | State | Scour Status | Condition | Year Built | ADT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SILVER CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1997 | 5,408 |
| IRON ORE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1984 | 5,315 |
| SAN JACINTO RIVER | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1977 | 5,232 |
| TURKEY RUN GULLY | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1958 | 5,175 |
| S FK WILLIS CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1941 | 5,000 |
| POMPONAUGH CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1964 | 4,992 |
| DEVILS FORD CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1964 | 4,992 |
| TEN MILE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1989 | 4,930 |
| TRINITY RIVER RELIEF | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1952 | 4,916 |
| HCFCD DITCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1982 | 4,784 |
| SAN ANTONIO RIVER | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Good | 2000 | 4,782 |
| CARY BAYOU | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1967 | 4,780 |
| RICKETTS BRANCH TRIB | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1986 | 4,762 |
| RICKETTS BRANCH TRIB | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1986 | 4,762 |
| ELM CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1942 | 4,757 |
| IRON ORE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1999 | 4,585 |
| LEONA RIVER | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1952 | 4,470 |
| TRIB MUDDY CREEEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 2006 | 4,400 |
| LITTLE CEDAR CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1960 | 4,383 |
| ZARZAMORA CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1988 | 4,328 |
| ATTOYAC RIVER | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1934 | 4,292 |
| SANTA ISABEL CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Good | 2000 | 4,260 |
| BROOKSHIRE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1988 | 4,254 |
| MCCOMMAS CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1964 | 4,172 |
| BRICKHOUSE GULLY | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1967 | 4,110 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1960 | 4,098 |
| WEST KEMPF CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1979 | 4,093 |
| SPRING CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1989 | 4,000 |
| NAVASOTA RIVER E RELIEF | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1940 | 3,978 |
| RED GULLY | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1977 | 3,953 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1960 | 3,949 |
| ROSILLO CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 2005 | 3,942 |
| MILL CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1951 | 3,810 |
| BRAZOS RIVER | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1969 | 3,720 |
| Town Branch | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1935 | 3,678 |
| KEEN BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1967 | 3,583 |
| DUCK CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1970 | 3,583 |
| CHOCTAW CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1994 | 3,479 |
| ELIZABETH CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 2005 | 3,470 |
| SISTER GROVE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1975 | 3,466 |
| S FORK SABINE RIVER | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Good | 2006 | 3,440 |
| MARSHALL BRANCH CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1994 | 3,426 |
| E FORK TRINITY RIVER | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1985 | 3,383 |
| BNSF RR & RED OAK CRK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1987 | 3,377 |
| TRINITY RIVER | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1997 | 3,375 |
| FIVE MILE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1977 | 3,321 |
| BEAR CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1957 | 3,320 |
| BRAZOS RIVER | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1965 | 3,317 |
| BIG SANDY CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 2000 | 3,278 |
| SEALS GULLY | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1979 | 3,261 |
Scour Critical Rating Codes
| Code 2, Unaddressed | Bridge is scour critical with no countermeasures installed. The foundation is vulnerable and no protective action has been taken. |
| Code 3, Countermeasures Installed | Protective measures (riprap, sheet piling, etc.) have been installed to reduce scour risk, but the bridge remains classified as scour critical. |
| Code 6, Countermeasures Ineffective | Protective measures were installed but have been assessed as ineffective. The bridge requires re-evaluation and additional action. |
About Scour Critical Bridges
Scour critical bridges have been identified through underwater inspection or analysis as having foundations that are unstable or could become unstable during flood conditions. FHWA requires action plans for all scour critical bridges. Famous scour failures include the 1987 Schoharie Creek Bridge collapse in New York.